Jaya Bachchan

Jaya Bachchan (née Bhaduri; born 9 April 1948) is an Indian actress and politician. She has served as a member of parliament in the Rajya Sabha from the Samajwadi Party. Known for her work in Hindi films, she is noted for reinforcing a natural style of acting in both mainstream and "middle-of-the-road" cinema. A recipient of several accolades, she has won a record nine Filmfare Awards and the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian honour awarded by the Government of India.

Bachchan made her film debut as a teenager in Satyajit Ray's Mahanagar (1963), followed by her first screen role as an adult in the drama Guddi (1971), directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, in their first of several collaborations. She was noted for her performances in films like Uphaar (1971), Koshish (1972) and Kora Kagaz (1974). She starred alongside Amitabh Bachchan in several films, including Zanjeer (1973), Abhimaan (1973), Chupke Chupke (1975), Mili (1975) and the cult film Sholay (1975), which saw her playing the much-lauded role of a young widow. She won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for Abhimaan, Kora Kagaz and Nauker (1979).

Following her marriage to actor Amitabh Bachchan and the birth of their children, she restricted her work in films, notably starring in Yash Chopra's musical romantic drama Silsila (1981). After a 17-year sabbatical, she returned to acting with Govind Nihalani's independent drama Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa (1998). Bachchan won three Filmfare Awards for Best Supporting Actress for playing emotionally-troubled mothers in the commercially successful dramas Fiza (2000), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001) and Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003). After another hiatus, she made her comeback with Karan Johar's romantic comedy family-drama Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023), which earned her a fourth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.